Do you have ancestors who settled in New Netherland, known today as New York?
Although much has been published about 17th century settlers, genealogists can never have too many records or resources to learn even more.
The New Netherland Institute: Exploring Dutch Heritage is a new-to-me website that I learned about in a webinar presentation.
It has earned my GeneaGem status due to its rich online links to publications and its Bibliography with 1000+ entries about New Netherland, its people and its history.
First, about the Institute itself, which is a non-profit organization:
For over three decades, NNI has helped cast light on America’s Dutch roots. In 2010, it partnered with the New York State Office of Cultural Education to establish the New Netherland Research Center, with matching funds from the State of the Netherlands. NNI is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
This website is chock full of information about New Netherland’s history.
Looking at the home page, above, the HISTORY and RESEARCH tabs offer the most for genealogists.
Under HISTORY, the drop down menu has these categories:
Digital Exhibitions
Historical Timelines
Dutch-Americans (people of note)
Additional Resources (podcast link and articles)
When you click on RESEARCH, you will hit a treasure trove of information:
Online Publications – Finding aids and links to publications
New Netherland Bibliography – More than 1,000 articles, including dissertations, related to Dutch Americans
New Netherland Research Center
Essays and Talks
The entries in the New Netherland Bibliography can be located with WorldCat. Readers will find everything from Blacks in early New York to the fake Dela Croix letter and map of 1634 to the first church in Albany to Dutch tobacco trade with Virginia.
There is a wealth of historical information on this website. While the Bibliography is just that, and it requires further searching to find access to the publication, I know of no other single website that has compiled this number of resources about New Netherland on its website.
And – it’s free to use!
The Institute has a page on Facebook, too, DAG is the Dutch American Group found there.
Membership is $50.00 per year, if you would like to financially support the Institute and receive a copy of their semi-annual publication. Donations are also accepted.
If you have early Dutch ancestors in New York, you’ll want to bookmark this website.